What is science? Agenda for Thursday Sept 4 th 1.Nature of science/scientific method

Resources Your User Name: kendricknovak Your Password: password You can log on at Novak’s teacher website

Questions What is science? Why do we do science? How do we do science?

Nature of Science Science – body of knowledge based on the study of nature – Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Earth Science Process based on inquiry that seeks to develop explanations

7 things Science does Relies on evidence Expands knowledge Challenges accepted theories Questions results Tests claims Peer Review Uses metric system

The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate a natural occurrence.

Problem/Question Observation/Research Formulate a Hypothesis Experiment Collect and Analyze Results Conclusion Communicate the Results

Steps of the Scientific Method 1.Problem/Question 1.Problem/Question: Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.

Steps of the Scientific Method Observation/Research 2. Observation/Research: Make observations and research your topic of interest.

Steps of the Scientific Method Formulate a Hypothesis 3. Formulate a Hypothesis: Predict a possible answer to the problem or question. Example: If soil temperatures rise, then plant growth will increase.

Steps of the Scientific Method Experiment 4. Experiment: Develop and follow a procedure. Include a detailed materials list.

Experimental Design Control group – used for comparison, baseline – may be a “no treatment” group – exposed to same conditions as experimental group, except for the variable being tested – All experiments should have a control group Experimental Group – group that gets tested 1 factor changes at a time Many trials

Experimental Design Independent (manipulated) variable – a factor that’s intentionally varied by the experimenter – tested factor Dependent (responding) variable – the factor that may change as a result of independent variable depends on the outcome of the independent variable What you want to measure Constant – remains same in every test experiment

Data Information gathered during an experiment – Qualitative – observations – Quantitative – numbers

Steps of the Scientific Method Collect and Analyze Results 5. Collect and Analyze Results: Modify the procedure if needed. Confirm the results by retesting. Include tables, graphs, and photographs.

Steps of the Scientific Method Conclusion 6. Conclusion: Include a statement that accepts or rejects the hypothesis. Make recommendations for further study and possible improvements to the procedure.

Steps of the Scientific Method Communicate the Results 7. Communicate the Results: Be prepared to present the project. Paper, presentations

Think you can name all seven steps? Problem/QuestionObservation/Research Formulate a Hypothesis Experiment Collect and Analyze Results Conclusion Communicate the Results

What is qualitative data? What is quantitative data? Agenda for Friday Sept 5 th 1.Types of graphs 2.Outside lab

What type of graph to use Line graph. Pie Chart. Bar Graph. Area Graph. X-Y Plot.

Leaf Lab Directions Part A 1.Make 10 observations of the tree/leaf/outside Part B 1.Each person acquire 1 leaf. 2.Measure (in cm) from base of leaf to tip of leaf. 3.Record you and your partners lengths in data table 4.Compile class data 5.Record class data 6.Make graph

Observations and inferences Inference - using observations, prior knowledge/experiences, and details from context to make connections and come up with ideas. Deduction – make a conclusion from something known or assumed

Models A representation of an object or event – Technology Computer simulated model Hands on exploration

Hypotheses, Theories, Laws hypothesis – a suggested explanation; a proposal based on reason that predicts a possible correlation between multiple phenomena (incidents, events, observations, etc.)

Laws law – notes only that something happens; happens consistently and across the universe usually simply stated frequently can be stated mathematically Example: Newton’s 2nd Law: a = f/m

Theories theory – explains why something happens; A framework about a class or group of phenomena Note – Theories are never “proven” – they are confirmed by overwhelming data; all theories, like all ideas in science, are subject to correction

Four areas of Bias Representation of data Funding of Research Cultural Bias Testing

Representation of Data Graphical/statistical

Funding of research Who is funding the research? – Bp or Exxon oil (Global climate change) – Tobacco industry (risks of smoking) – Audubon Society (Location of pipeline / Arctic drilling) – Greenpeace

Cultural Bias Questionnaires or surveys: – Surveys written in English given to non-English language speakers

Testing Subjects used for testing – Animals / Humans for cosmetics or pharmaceuticals

Scientific Method practice

Mr. Novak is working on a science project. His task is to answer the question: "Does Plantgro (a commercial plant product) affect the speed of plant growth". Q: Describe how Mr. Novak would perform this experiment. Identify the control group, and the independent and dependent variables in your description. Agenda for Friday Dec 13 th 1.Quiz 2.Read article

Julie soaked six different kinds of seeds in water for 24 hours. Then she planted the seeds in soil at a depth of 1 cm. She used the same amount of water, light, and heat for each kind of seed to see how each seed would grow. What 4 factors are being controlled? What is the independent variable? Agenda for Monday Dec 16 th 1.Alka Seltzer lab part 1

What is the difference between a theory and a law? Agenda for Tuesday Dec 17 th 1.Alka seltzer lab part 2 Test Friday

123456Ave Groups 1/2A lot Groups 3/4200 mL Groups 5/6A little Ave Groups 7/8Hot Groups 9/10Room Temp Groups 11/12Cold Period 5 Data

123456Ave Groups 1/2A lot Groups 3/4200 mL Groups 5/6A little Ave Groups 7/8Hot Groups 9/10Room Temp Groups 11/12Cold Ave Groups 13/14Stirred Groups 15/16Not stirred Period 3 Data

What is the difference between control and constants? Agenda for Wednesday Dec 18 th 1.Scientific method practice 2.Design Bridge Test Friday

List the 4 areas of bias. Agenda for Thursday Dec 19 th 1.Build and Test Bridge Test Tomorrow **I will look at stamps***

TEST Scientific method – Independent/dependent variable – Control group/experimental – Constants Areas of bias Observation/inferences Qualitative/quantitative

Engineering points some lessons about design: – Build the simplest thing that could possibly work. “simple” DOES NOT equal“stupid”. – Go with the strengths of the material you’re given.